Tumpa Ba’ a Guwu Pa’

I recently tried to visit the hotel bar. It may go down in history as one of the most depressing places I’ve ever been in my life. It’s called the Carriage Bar and it boasts live music almost nightly (Karaoke) and a charming atmosphere. The place looked more like an abandoned strip club (based on what I’m told they look like). There were two old couples hanging out in there. As the Dj spun tunes and talked to the “audience” it was clear that some old schmuck had been talked into ballroom dancing lessons to save his marriage – boy he must have been proud. The lucky old man got to dance in front of “everyone” with his wife – they had a different style for each tune, salsa dancing to such classics as Ricky Martin, and then quickly adapting to the smooth beats of – you guessed it – Akon.

I asked around with some of the local guys. My “Singlish” is still getting up to speed so I was having a lot of trouble understanding what Tumpa Ba’ a Guwu pa’ was, until luckily I stumbled into a bar called Thumper, which was located at the Goodwood Park Hotel. This place is nifty. Quite expensive and serves American food, so I don’t know if I’ll be frequenting it too often, it boasts a fancy W hotel like atmosphere with the addition of TV’s everywhere showing Soccer. Thumper is the first bar (that they know of) to use a unique “biometric” approach to their tab keeping. What this means, is that they make you a “member” the first time you go there. They get your picture and thumbprint on file and then you’re free to go order what you like. Each time you order you just give them your thumb – it’s really cool. Then on the way out you scan your thumb and pay up. No annoying cards or cash exchanged or anyone getting stuck with the bill – just thumb scanning. It’s a little gimmicky but nonetheless interesting.